EXCHANGE 


UNITED  STATES 
COMMERCIAL  COMMISSION 
CHINA. 


RA 

OP  THE 

SUN: 


UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OF 

PHILADELPHIA 
COMMERCIAL  MUSEUM. 


PROSPECTUS 


United  States  Commercial 
Commission  to  China. 


UNDER   THE   DIRECTION 

OF   THE 

PHILADELPHIA 

* » 

COMMERCIAL  MUSEUM. 


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THE 

PHILADELPHIA  MUSEUMS, 

Established  by  Ordinance  of  City  Councils,  1894, 

233  South  Fourth  Street. 


BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES. 

Ex-Offlcio. 

HON.  DANIEL  H.  HASTINGS, 
Governor  of  Pennsylvania. 

HON.  CHARLES  P.  WARWICK 
Mayor  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia 

JAMES  L.   MILES, 
i  President  of  Select  Council. 

WENCEL  HARTMAN, 
President  of  Common  Council. 

SAMUEL  B.  HUEY, 
1-i-esident  of  the  Board  of  Public   Education. 

DR.  EDWARD  BROOKS, 
Superintendent  of  Public  Schools. 

NAT/HAN  C.   SCHAEFFER, 

State  Superintendent  of  Public  Schools. 

J.  T.  ROTHROCK,   B.S.,   M.D., 
State  Forestry  Commissioner. 

Permanent  Trustees. 

DANIEL  BAUGH,  THOMAS  MEEHAN, 

CHARLES  H.   CRAMP,  WILLIAM  PEPPER,   M.D.,   LL.D., 

THOMAS  DOLAN,  MRS.   CORNELIUS   STEVENSON,   Sc.D. 

GEORGE  F.  EDMUNDS,  FRANK  THOMSON,  * 

WILLIAM  L.  ELKINS,  JOHN  WANAMAKER, 

W.  W.  FOULKROD,  P.  A.  B.  WIDENER, 

SIMON  GRATZ,  SYDNEY  L.  WRIGHT. 


382233 


OFFICERS 

OF  THE 

BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES. 

WM.   PEPP.ER,   M.D.,   LL.D., 

President. 

CHARLES  H.  CRAMP, 
Vice-President. 

SYDNEY  L.  WRIGHT, 
Treasurer. 

WILLIAM  M.  WATTS, 

Secretary. 


OFFICERS  OF  THE  MUSEUM. 

WM.  P.  WILSON,  Sc.D., 
Director. 

WILLIAM  HARPER, 

Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Information. 

C.  A.  GREEN, 
Assistant   Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Information. 

WILFRED  H.   SCHOFF, 
Foreign   Secretary   of  the   Bureau  of  Information. 

GUSTAVE  NIEDERLEIN, 
Chief  of  the  Scientific  Department. 

WM.   B.   MARSHALL, 
Curator  of  Natural  Products. 

LOUIS  J.  MATO3. 
Chief  of  Laboratories. 


United  States  Commercial  Commission 
to  China, 


IT  has  been  decided  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Philadelphia  Museums  to  send,  early  in  May  of  this  year, 

a  Commercial  Commission  to  China. 

The  idea  of  sending  such  a  Commission  to  China  has 
been  under  thoughtful  consideration  by  the  officers  of  the 
Museums  for  many  months. 

Mr.  William  Harper,  the  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Informa- 
tion of  the  Museums,  upon  his  return  from  a  recent  journey 
around  the  world,  unhesitatingly  reported  that  the  conditions 
for  the  reception  in  China  of  a  United  States  Commission  in 
the  interests  of  extension  of  trade  were  extremely  opportune. 

As  a  proof  of  China's  desire  to  strengthen  her  trade  rela- 
tions with  this  country,  it  may  be  well  to  state  that,  in  the 
autumn  of  1897,  the  Tsung-Li  Yamen  (i.  <?.,  the  Imperial 
Bureau  of  Foreign  Affairs),  in  reply  to  a  note  addressed  by 
our  Minister  at  Peking,  in  which  was  extended  an  invitation 
to  China  from  the  Philadelphia  Museums  to  appoint  delegates 
to  attend  the  International  Commercial  Congress  to  be  held  in 
Philadelphia  in  1899,  stated  that  the  Chinese  Government 
would  send  delegates  to  this  Congress,  and  to  this  end  has  in- 
structed the  Ministers-Superintendent  of  Northern  and  South- 
ern Trade,  as  well  as  the  Viceroys  and  Governors  of  the 
various  provinces,  to  co-operate  in  the  selection  of  these  dele- 
gates. The  Tsung-Li  Yamen,  in  this  note,  also  states  that  the 
representative  of  the  Philadelphia  Museums,  Mr.  Harper,  be 
requested  to  discuss  matters  connected  witn  the  Museums  and 
its  work  with  the  officials  and  merchants  of  the  various  ports. 
It  will  be  the  object  of  this  Commission  to  pursue  these  mat- 
ters from  the  favorable  point  to  which  Mr.  Harper  has  brought 
them. 


The  fact  that  China,  now  awakened  to  her  state  of  help- 
lessness through  lack  of  development  by  modern  methods, 
evincing  a  desire  to  extend  her  commerce  with  this  country  has 
encouraged  the  Philadelphia  Museums  to  seize  this  opportu- 
nity for  urging  upon  her  attention  not  only  the  pre-emi- 
nence of  American  appliances,  but  also  the  advisability,  espe- 
cially in  view  of  our  well-known  policy  of  non- territorial 
acquisition,  of  the  employment  of  American  capital  and  brains 
for  the  development  of  her  industries. 

These  special  considerations,  aside  from  those  which  al- 
ways prevail  in  the  interests  of  trade  extension,  have  influ- 
enced the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Philadelphia  Museums  in 
their  decision  to  send  to  China  a  Commercial  Commission  at 
this  time. 

Moreover,  if  our  merchants  and  manufacturers  are  to 
secure  the  rightful  quota  of  trade  that  might  ensue  from  the 
vantage  ground  that  is  now  theirs  to  maintain,  the  time  is  at 
hand  for  the  Museums  to  undertake  to  lay  before  the  mer- 
chants and  manufacturers  of  this  country  the  results  of  a  com- 
prehensive study  of  the  internal  resources  of  China,  illustrated 
by  samples  of  raw  materials  and  products,  and  of  existing  trade 
conditions  and  methods  of  doing  business. 

The  general  object  of  the  Philadelphia  Museums  will  be 
the  chief  guide  to  the  Commission  and  its  work  in  China. 
These  object  are  set  forth  by  the  Museums  as  follows  : 

1 .  To  gather  from  all  parts  of  the  world  and  to  make  im- 
mediately  available  to  business  men  full  and  specific  informa- 
tion concerning  trade  conditions  and  connections. 

2.  To  place  on  exhibition  manufactured  products  from 
other  countries,  in  order  that  our  manufacturers  may  be  prop- 
erly informed  concerning  the  requirements  of  markets  which  it 
may  be  possible  for  them  to  enter. 

3.  To  bring  before  the  manufacturers,  dealers   and  con- 
sumers of  the  United  States,  samples  of  the  varied  products  of 
the  world,  that  they  may  know  and  choose  such  as  are  useful 
to  them. 

4.  To  make  complete  examinations,  analyses  and  tests  of 
these  products,  and  to  publish  such  information  concerning  them 
as  may  lead  to  a  general  understanding  of  their  usefulness. 


ENDORSEMENT    BY   GOVERNMENT. 

The  object  of  this  Commission  and  scope  of  the  work  to 
be  accomplished  have  been  duly  brought  to  the  attention  of 
the  Department  of  State,  with  the  result  that  the  Department 
of  State  will  send  a  circular  letter  to  our  Consuls  in  China,  in- 
structing them  to  aid  the  Commission  in  its  work,  to  use  their 
good  offices  in  bringing  about  intercourse  with  Viceroys,  Tao- 
tais  and  other  Chinese  officials,  and  also  to  give  introductions 
to  the  Chairmen  of  the  various  Foreign  Chambers  of  Com- 
merce, Commissioners  of  Custom,  etc. 

The  United  States  Minister  at  Peking  has  also  been  in- 
structed to  procure  from  the  Tsung-14  Yamen,  upon  application 
for  same,  passports  for  the  members  of  the  Commission,  and 
the  issue  of  instructions  from  the  Yameii  to  the  Provincial 
authorities  along  the  route  of  the  Commission  to  extend  official 
courtesies  to  the  members  of  the  Commission,  and  to  aid  the 
Commission  in  its  work  of  procuring  samples  of  raw  materials 
and  products  and  such  other  collections  and  data  as  the  Com- 
mission may  see  fit  to  collect  to  illustrate  the  present  com- 
mercial conditions  existing  in  China. 

ROUTE   OF   COMMISSION. 

The  ground  to  be  covered  by  the  Commission,  besides  the 
treaty  ports,  would  be  the  Yangtze  River  Valley  and  the 
provinces  to  the  north  of  the  Yangtze  River.  From  Shanghai 
the  Commission  would  proceed  up  the  Yangtze  River  to  the 
city  of  Chungking,  which  place  marks  the  limit  of  navigation 
of  this  great  waterway.  It  would  then  proceed  to  Changtu-fi, 
the  capital  of  the  rich  province  of  Szechuan,  and  from  thence 
go  to  Han-Chung,  which  place  marks  the  head  of  navigation 
of  the  Han  River.  From  Han-Chung  the  next  move  of  the 
Commission  would  be  down  the  Han  River  to  Hankow.  After 
making  special  reports  of  this  inland  journey  and  forwarding 
the  collections  obtained  of  raw  materials  and  products,  the 
Commission  would  proceed  north  over  the  route  of  the  railway 
now  under  construction  between  Hankow  au,d  Peking.  A 
considerable  stay  would  be  made  at  Peking,  Tientsin,  Chefoo 
and  Newchwang  in  order  that  the  conditions  of  trade  at  these 
centres  and  throughout  the  provinces  of  Chihli,  Shantung  and 
of  Manchuria  might  be  carefully  analyzed. 


GENERAL  SCOPE   OF  WORK   TO   BE  ACCOMPLISHED   BY  THE 
COMMISSION. 

In  addition  to  the  collection  of  raw  materials  and  products 
made  at  the  treaty  ports  and  throughout  this  journey,  samples 
of  manufactured  articles  imported  from  other  countries  would 
be  sought  and  forwarded  to  the  Museums,  accompamed  by 
statements  giving  prices,  ocean  and  inland  freights,  showing 
method  of  packing,  etc. 

As  Shanghai  is  the  central  point  of  commercial  activity 
for  the  Yangtze  Valley  and  northern  China  trade,  Shanghai 
being  the  principal  point  of  distribution  of  foreign  imports,  as 
well  as  the  point  of  accumulation  of  native  goods  intended  for 
export  to  foreign  countries,  the  Commission  would  give  unusual 
attention  to  this  port. 

In  order  that  the  merchants  and  manufacturers  might  have 
a  more  exact  understanding  of  the  extent  and  nature  of  com- 
merce at  this  central  treaty  port,  special  reports  would  be 
prepared  upon  such  subjects  as  the  following  : 

1.  The   duties   of   the   United   States  Consul  General  as 
Consul  and  as  United  States  Judge. 

2.  Native  banking  methods  of  China. 

3.  Foreign  banking  methods  as  practiced  by  the  Hong 
Kong  and  Shanghai  Banking  Corporation,  the  Chartered  Bank 
of  India,  Australia  and  China. 

4.  Custom  House,  wharfage,  lighterage  and  tonnage  dues. 

5.  Ocean  and  local  freight  charges. 

6.  Ocean  and  river  coastwise  routes. 

7.  Monetary  questions — importations  of  silver  and  of  the 
Mexican  dollar,  the  value  of  the  tael,  and  of  copper  cash. 

8.  The  Compradore  system. 

9.  The  extent  of  foreign  demand  for  foreign  goods;  com- 
parative table  of  imports. 

10.  The  extent  of  native  demand  for  foreign  goods;  com- 
parative table. 

1 1 .  The  extent  of  native  exports. 

12.  Is  the  consumption  of  American  goods  increasing  or 


decreasing  as  compared  with  the  consumption  of  goods  from 
other  countries  ? 

13.  Warehouse  charges,  rates  of  fire  insurance,  etc. 

14.  Commissions  charged  for  execution  of  indents.     In 
this  connection  pro-forma  invoices  would  be  solicited  for  wool, 
silk,  hides,  straw,  braids  and  other  important  articles  of  export. 

15.  English  and  European  Life,  Fire  and  Marine  Insur- 
ance Companies  having  agents  in  Shanghai.     List  of  similar 
American  Companies  having  agents  in  Shanghai. 

1 6.  Extent  of  Public  Works,  and  contemplated  improve- 
ments in  Shanghai. 

17.  Docking  facilities.     Extent  and  plant  of  ship  building. 

18.  The  Commercial  Organization  of  China,  such  as  the 
Silk  and  Piece  Goods  Guilds,  European  Chambers  of  Com- 
merce, etc. 

Other  Treaty  ports  visited  would  be  subjected  to  similar 
treatment  laying  aside  such  features  treated  for  Shanghai  as 
are  common  to  all. 

^  After  the  inland  journey  has  been  completed,  monographs 
would  be  written  upon  the  following  topics  of  general  interest : 

1.  Habits  and  characteristics  of  the  people. 

2.  The  litterati  and  Mandarin  classes. 

.3.  The  salient  traits  of  Chinese  merchants. 

4.  The  Provincial  Governments  of  China. 

5.  The  Imperial  Government  at  Peking.     Its   functions 
and  its  scope  of  control. 

6.  The  Imperial  Maritime   Customs,    as    organized   and 
managed  by  Sir  Robert  Hart. 

7.  China's  New  Postal  System. 

8.  Likin  duties  and  transit  passes. 

9.  Trade  Marks,  their  protection  against  counterfeiting. 

10.  Water-ways  and  trade  routes  of  China,  cost  of  travel, 
transportation  of  ^merchandise,  etc. 


11.  Extent   of    Railway   development   and   contemplated 
extensions. 

12.  The  advisability  of  urging  upon  China  the  opening  of 
New  Treaty  ports  and  the  granting  of  greater  trade  privileges. 

13.  Trade  conditions  in  Peking,  and  the  method  of  doing 
business  in  the  capital  although  not  a  treaty  port. 

14.  Missionary  work  in  its  relation  to  commerce. 

CONCLUSION. 

The  Philadelphia  Commercial  Museum  solicits  correspond- 
ence from  manufacturers  and  others  interested  in  Chinese 
trade  as  to  any  special  investigations  that  they  may  desire 
prosecuted  while  this  Commission  is  in  China. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE, 

WASHINGTON,  April  23,  1898. 

EDWIN  H.  CONGER,  ESQ., 

United  States  Minister, 
Peking,  China. 

SIR  : — At  the  instance  of  Dr.  William  Pepper,  President 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Philadelphia  Museums,  I  take 
pleasure  in  herewith  introducing  Dr.  Gustave  Niederlein,  Chief 
of  the  Scientific  Department  of  the  Philadelphia  Museums,  an 
experienced  explorer  and  traveler  in  various  parts  of  the  world ; 
Mr.  Sheridan  P.  Read,  recently  the  Consul  of  the  United  States 
at  Tientsin,  China,  and  Mr.  C.  A.  Green,  Assistant  Chief  of 
the  Bureau  of  Information  of  the  Philadelphia  Commercial 
Museum,  who  has  had  many  years'  experience  in  studying  and 
investigating  the  foreign  trade  of  the  United  States. 

These  three  gentlemen  compose  a  Commercial  Commission 
which  it  has  been  decided  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Philadelphia  Museums  to  dispatch  to  China,  in  furtherance  of 
the  recommendations  of  one  of  its  principal  officers,  Mr.  William 
Harper,  who  recently  spent  some  time  in  China  in  making  in- 
vestigations as  to  the  possibility  of  securing  closer  commercial 

10 


relations  with  that  country.  This  Commission  will  take  up 
systematically  the  work  which  Mr.  Harper  found  it  imprac- 
ticable to  accomplish  unaided. 

I  doubt  not  it  will  be  your  pleasure  to  give  to  the  Com- 
mission all  possible  assistance  consistent  with  your  official 
duties  for  the  complete,  intelligent  and  successful  prosecution 
of  its  labors,  which  are  in  the  interest  of  American  commerce 
and  closer  trade  relations.  It  will  be  especially  glad  to  have 
you  procure  from  the  Tsung-Li  Yamen,  should  application  be 
made  therefor,  passports  for  the  members  of  the  Commission, 
as  well  as  instructions  to  the  provincial  authorities  along 
the  route  traversed  by  the  Commission  directing  them  to  extend 
all  proper  official  courtesies  to  the  members  thereof,  and  to  aid 
them  in  the  work  of  procuring  samples  of  the  raw  materials, 
products,  and  such  other  collections  and  data  as  the  Commis- 
sion may  see  fit  to  collect  for  the  furtherance  of  trade. 

Very  truly  yours, 

JOHN  SHERMAN. 


DEPARTMENT  OF  STATE, 

WASHINGTON,  April  23,  1898. 

To  the  Diplomatic  and  Consular  Officers  of  the  United  States. 

GENTLEMEN  : — At  the  instance  of  Dr.  William  Pepper, 
President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Philadelphia  Museums, 
I  take  pleasure  in  herewith  introducing  Dr.  Gustave  Nieder- 
lein,  Chief  of  the  Scientific  Department  of  the  Philadelphia 
Museums,  an  experienced  explorer  and  traveler  in  various 
parts  of  the  world,  Mr.  Sheridan  P.  Read,  recently  the  Consul 
of  the  United  States  at  Tientsin,  China,  and  Mr.  C.  A.  Green, 
Assistant  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Information  of  the  Philadel- 
phia Commercial  Museum,  who  has  had  many  years'  experi- 
ence in  studying  and  investigating  the  foreign  trade  of  the 
United  States. 

These  three  gentlemen  compose  a  Commercial  Commission 
which  it  has  been  decided  by  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Philadelphia  Museums  to  dispatch  to  China,  in  furtherance  of 

11 


the  recommendations  of  one  of  its  principal  officers,  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Harper,  who  recently  spent  some  time  in  China  making 
investigations  as  to  the  possibility  of  securing  closer  com- 
mercial relations  with  that  country.  This  Commission  will 
take  up  systematically  the  work  which  Mr.  Harper  found  it 
impracticable  to  accomplish  unaided. 

I  doubt  not  it  will  be  your  pleasure  to  give  to  the  Com- 
mission all  possible  assistance  consistent  with  your  official 
duties  for  the  complete,  intelligent  and  successful  prosecution 
of  its  labors,  which  are  in  the  interest  of  American  commerce 
and  closer  trade  relations.  I  should  be  especially  delighted  to 
have  you  use  your  good  offices  to  bring  about  friendly  inter- 
course with  Viceroys,  Taotais,  and  other  Chinese  officials,  as 
well  as  to  procure,  if  possible,  letters  of  introduction  to  the 
Chairmen  of  the  various  Chambers  of  Commerce,  Commis- 
sioners of  Customs  and  such  like  officers. 
Respectfully  yours, 

JOHN  SHERMAN. 


PAT.  JAM.  21, 1908 


YC  3 


927 


382233 


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